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Austronesian Forum picks headquarters

Council of Indigenous Peoples Minister Icyang Parod said yesterday that the site for the headquarters of the Austronesian Forum in Palau has been selected, and that the international organization could start operations next year.

Icyang, who returned from a visit to Palau on Sunday, made the announcement during a press conference at the council.

"With the approval of the government and the queen of Palau, we have selected Ngarachamayong Cultural Center in Palau as the location for the Austronesian Forum headquarters," Icyang said.

Despite having a republican government with a president, the traditional leader of Palau's matrilineal society -- often referred to as the queen -- still plays an active role in the nation's public affairs.

Establishing the Austronesian Forum was one of the agreements reached at the Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit meeting last year, Icyang said.

"The Forum will discuss issues facing all Austronesian and indigenous peoples around the world, including those involving traditional indigenous lands, languages, cultures and indigenous policies," Icyang said.

The location of the Forum's headquarters was decided at the second Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit in Majuro, the Marshall Islands.

Although Taiwan was the main proponent of the Forum, Palau was selected as the location for its headquarters for an important reason.

"There are seven countries on the executive committee of the Forum -- all are Taiwan's diplomatic allies except the Philippines," Icyang said.

"As we'd like to invite more countries into the organization, the political issues that may prevent many countries from sending government representatives can be avoided if the invitation is sent through Palau," he said.

Some of the countries the Forum aims to invite to the executive committee include Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, Icyang said.

In addition, "we will be able to participate in discussions concerning Austronesian peoples held by the UN through the Austronesian Forum," he said.

The Forum is expected to start officially operating before April next year, Icyang said.
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